With generous funding from:

DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities

This year’s competing schools will be announced soon!

CFA Youth Improv Residency is theater improv program that serves youth of color, 9th-12th grade in the DC, MD, Virginia area. Students study the techniques of improvisational theatre and sketch comedy through a 2 week after school residency. Taught and led by professional improv actors and CFA Repertory Theatre teaching artists, CFA Youth Improv is rooted in providing a safe space for youth of color to fully express themselves creatively through the art of comedy and social justice theatre while introducing them to the foundation of theatre performance. The 2 week residency culminates into a final showcase, The CFA Youth Improv Slam. At the Slam, students participate in friendly competition to showcase their newly learned skills. Students engage in a live, spontaneous, unscripted performance competition to see who will be crowned the best in improv in the DMV! The final Slam is free and open to the community and it's encouraged for students to invite their friends and family.

2025 Residency Information:

Dates: March 17th through March 28th (Mon-Thurs) 

Time: 3:30pm-5:30pm

Location: The school must provide an open space for the residency to take place after school.

Final Slam Information:

Date: Saturday, March 28th

Slam Time: 1:00pm-3:00pm

Location: Amyla Center 1770 Euclid St. NW Washington, D.C. 20009 ( At the bottom of the LINE Hotel)

Lunch will be served for students

Benefits of Program:

• Teaches Leadership, Creativity, Entrepreneurship, and Social Activism

• Partners with local theaters, artists, and organizations in the DMV

• Final showcase produced by and starring the students .

• Led by trained professional actors of color

• Students will have the opportunity to join the CFA Youth Improv team to compete in local /national improv competitions

Past youth improv programs have been activated at DC Parks and Recreation, Dunbar High School, Maya Angelou Public Charter School, Kipp DC College Preparatory, Cardozo Education Campus